Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Urquhart.
Hi Ashley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The job that once kept me afloat had slowly shrunk into a trickle of hours. I needed more — not just more money, but more meaning. So, I brushed off my résumé and applied somewhere new. During the interview, the owner looked up from my application, eyes curious. She asked, why haven’t I started my own business. I told her fear. After that interview, I thought deeply about my skills and talents I bring and I could make it work. I told the employer that I thought about what she said. Everything aligned after I made the decision to leap in faith. A guy in my area had opened new spa suites and wanted me to see the space. My heart leapt — and I said yes before I could think twice. We didn’t have much — just faith and two massage tables. My colleague, mentioned someone was selling a bunch of massage equipment and supplies. That night, as we moved into our suite, carrying in boxes and dreams until midnight, I whispered, “God, You are good.”
They both supported me and my husband’s (Milton Hughes) massage business to get launched. Within 6 months of being opened, we were nominated for 2 consecutive years as the WRAL Voter’s Choice Awards finalist. We were mentioned by the Mayor of Holly Springs for our donations we make towards our community. We continued to serve the community with selecting a hardship family who needs a massage. We have had pauses in our business due to medical procedures having 5 surgeries within 2 years, having a near death experience (NDE) and after we’ve come back from personal challenges, we have continuously served more people being ranked top massage business in my area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe every business experiences its own rough roads, and mine has been no exception. For the most part, we were on a smooth path, but there were moments when the journey paused or took unexpected detours. The most significant challenge came when I became pregnant with twins. That season brought several medical complications that drastically impacted my ability to work and communicate consistently with clients. I was diagnosed with May-Thurners Syndrome, a rare syndrome which 1% has it but may not know. It’s where your iliac artery compresses the iliac vein that later created blood clots in my left leg. This led to me having a deep vein thrombosis, having multiple clots pass in my lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. This incident enlarged my heart having cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure at 33 years of age. I was diagnosed with other diseases, but don’t want to overwhelm myself listing them all, just grateful to be alive fulfilling my purpose. The struggle again was not being able to walk. I couldn’t walk for a month! While I was fighting for my life and managing multiple responsibilities — including my recovery, my newborn babies surgery recovery, my other business ventures, and my personal life — our operations slowed down. Unfortunately, more than half of our clientele transitioned elsewhere during that time. In total, I missed about nine months on and off, trying to balance everything. From 260 doctor’s appointments in those 2 years and depression, my husband Milton was holding the fort down at our business, taking care of me, our 4 kids and the projects I was venturing into.
That experience, which I am writing a book about plus life coaching, was incredibly difficult, but it taught me and my husband resilience and the importance of systems that sustain a business even when the leader has to step back. It reminded me to lead with transparency, grace, and adaptability — because sometimes, success means not giving up when the road gets rough, but learning how to navigate it with purpose.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A&M Massage and Bodywork is a systematic massage practice dedicated to helping clients heal the mind, body, and spirit with our variety of bodywork treatments. We collectively bring 26 years of hands-on experience to every session, and we take pride in being the first Black-owned massage business in our area since 2022. Our goal has always been to blend professionalism with passion — providing each client with a holistic experience that promotes true healing. We’re especially known for our therapeutic specialties such as intra-oral TMJ massage therapy, which I teach other massage therapists mainly in North Carolina how to do, sports, and deep tissue modalities. But we also go beyond traditional massage by offering a wide range of wellness treatments — over 15 in total — including foot ion cleanses, infrared sauna sessions, and V-Steams for both females and males.
What truly sets us apart is our innovation and commitment to quality. We’re the only therapists in the area offering unique treatments like Hot Bamboo services, Fire and Ice facial massage, and Core Comfort Castor Oil treatments. We offer energy work, but it’s not your typical Reiki session. Every part of our brand represents our names and our personal dedication to excellence. A&M Massage and Bodywork isn’t just a business — it’s a reflection of who we are and our mission to serve through healing.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you’re thinking about opening your own business, I always encourage people to start by gaining experience working for other businesses first. You can learn so much from both the good and the bad — how clients are managed, how operations are run, and what type of leadership truly works. Not every business will be perfect, but every experience will teach you something valuable about what to do — and sometimes what not to do — when it’s your turn. I also recommend exploring entrepreneurship programs that allow you to work at your own pace. These programs can help you build the foundation you need — from understanding business structure and finances to developing your mindset as a leader. The goal is to prepare yourself not just to start a business, but to sustain it and help it grow with confidence and purpose. I later took this paid-program while pivoting my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ammassagebodyworkers.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ammassagebodyworkers
